Nipple banding and punching machine



Jan. 23, 1923.

P. A. RAICHE N1 PPLE BANDING AND PuNcl-nNs MACHINE.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Fl LEQ JUNE 30. I920.

Jan. 23, 1923. 1,442,823 4 P. A. RAICHE. NIPPLE BANDING AND PUNCHING MACHINE- FILED JUNE 30. 1920. 5 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Jan. 23, 1923. 11,442,823

. P. A. RA|CH E.

NIPPLE BANDING AND PUNCHING MACHINE. V

FILED JUNE. 30. 1920, 5 SHEETS-SHEET 3 Jan. 23, 1923. 3,442,823

P. A. RA CHE, NIPPLE BANDING AND PUNCH I'NG MACH I NE- FILED JUNE 30, 1920. 5 SHEETS-SHEET 4 66 7 I I i Jan. 23, 1923.

P. A RAICHE NIPPLE BANDING AND PUNCHING MACHINE.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5 FILED JUNE. 30, I920.

attozncq Patented Jan. 23, 1923. 7

WEEK; STATES tan ENE.

PAUL A. EAICHE, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO DAV'OL RUBBER COMPANY, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, A CORPORATION OF RHODE ISLAND.

NIPPLE BANDING AND PUNGHING MACHINE.

Application filed June 30, 1920. Serial No. 393,173.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PAUL A. RAroI-In, a citizen of the United States, residing at Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented new and useful Improvements in a Nipple Banding and Punching Machine, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in a nipple banding and punching machine, an object being to provide improved means and mechanism. for expeditiously and efiicaciously accomplishing the steps of puncturing the end of a nursing nipple and applying a ringshaped or continuous band, bearing printed matter or the like about the neck thereof.

The invention also resides in means for severing the individual bands from a tubular stock, or source of supply, and applying the same to a nipple by threading the latter therethrough; means for tensioning or stretching the nipple to reduce its diameter for facilitating threading or inserting the same through the band; and means for per forating or punching the end of the nipple to provide the required liquid passages thercthrough.

Further, the invention resides in the features of construction, and the arrangements and combinations of parts and mechanisms hereinafter described in detail andsuccinctly claimed reference being made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a front elevation of the improved machine with the nipple conveyor re mo ved.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof with portions omitted for the sake of clearness; and I Figure 3 is an end elevation of the nipple conveyor;

Figure 4: is a fragmentary longitudinal, vertical section of the machinein the plane of the stretching plunger; Figure 5 is a transverse vertical section thereof; Figure 6 is a plan view of the band-carrying aws; Figure '7 is a side elevation thereof and Figure 8 is a detail view showing the nippleholding jaws in plan.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the supporting frame structure in which is journaled a vertical cam shaft 2 having suitable transmis sion connection 3 with a drive shaft 4 and carrying beneath the frame a pair of came 5 and 6 and above the frame four cams T. 8, 9 and 10.

A nipple conveyor is mounted on the table or frame 1, and comprises a pair of fiat, laterally engaging belts 11 and a pair of round, shoulder-engaging belts 12 each belt being endless and passing about drive pulleys l3 and guide idlers 14 to present a nipple-engaging section 15 in opposition to a similar parallel section of the companion belt. One set of drive pulleys 13 is mounted on a shaft 16 which carries a fixed pulley 17 connected to a pulley 18 on shaft 2 by belt 19. Pulleys 13 are fixedly connected to the respective pairs of drive pulleys 13. and about said pulleys 13 passes an end less belt 13 for rotating the drive pulleys at a common speed. A nipple, such as in. dicated at 20, is fed in inverted position between the parallel conveyor belts in such manner that the upper belts 11 will engage the cylindrical base portion and the lower belts 12 engage the shoulder beneath the base of the nipple and thereby aid in supporting the same. From the conveyor belts, the nipple is delivered to a raceway 21 along which the nipple advances to a position beneath a locating plunger 22 and stretching plunge-r The nipple-locating or positioning plunger 22 is in the form of a sleeve and is slidably supported on a reduced shank portion 24, of the nipple-stretching plunger 23, be ing confined between upper and lower shoulders formed at the junction of the shank with the body and head of the plunger, as depicted in Fig. 1. The stretching plunger is secured in the vertical bore of a bracket support 25 by a set screw 26 and is adjustable therein by a screw 27, said support extending outwardly from a slide 29 movable in a vertical guide way 30. A stud 31, extending from the opposite side of the slide, operates in the bifurcated end of a lever 32, the same being pivoted at 33 and having its opposite end acted upon by the cam 10 for imparting vertical reciprocatory movement to the plungers.

Underlying the plungers and delivery end of the raceway 21 is a pair of nipple-holding or gripping jaws 34 and 35, the latter embracing the nipple for the greater part of its circumference whereby when the jaws are opened the nipple will follow said larger jaw 35. This jaw is slidably mounted and normally urged open by a coiled spring 36 against which the cam 9 acts to close the jaws.

When the nipple is disposed beneath the plungers, the latter descend under the influence of cam 10, and push the nipple through the guideway into jaws 34 and The locating plunger enters the base of the nipple and holds this end fixed while the stretching plunger distends the nipple, as indicated in dotted lines. \Vhen' in this distended or stretched condition the collar or band is threaded over the nipple by a pair of vertically moving aws 37 which are pivoted to open in a horizontal plane on the upper end of shaft 38, the latter being slidable through the bearing 39, in the frame, and actuated by a lever 40. The cam 5 operates on one end of this lever, which is pivoted intermediate its ends on a depending bracket 41, and has its opposite end furcated to slidablyembrace a stud 42 on the lower end of shaft 38.

The punching operation occurs subsequent to the band-applying and after the stretched'nipple has returned'to normal by slightly raising the plunger 23. To accomplish this perforating, a punch 43 is slidable vertically through a bearing 44- in the frame in axial alinement with the plunger 23 which serves as the die. Upstanding from the punch are the piercing pins 45, while the lower end of the punch is slidably embraced by the furca'ted end 46 of lever 47, the latter being pivoted on the bracket 41 and actuated by cam 6. During the punching operation, the jaws 37 release their hold on the band and return to their lower, normal position. The band releasement is effected by a wedge 48 which is moved horizontally between the rear ends 49 of the aws by cam 8 and retracted to normal position by spring 50, The arms 49 are provided with adjustable faces in the form of screws 51 with which the wedge or spreader 48 engages. Following the punching and band releasement, the nipple is then discharged by the separation of jaws 34 and 35, the jaw 35 being retracted by its coiled spring 36 and carrying the nipple 'with it into contact with a release pin 52,

which is mounted on the frame structure and over which the jaw wipes, for freeing the nipple to discharge it from the machine.

The bands are preferably of paper and bear suitable advertising matter thereon, the same being cut from the lower end of a tubular stock 53 by a cutter 54. These tubes are fed from a hopper 55 by means of a sliding weight follower 56 supported from an arm 57, carried by the plungerslide 29, said follower sliding the band tube down between a pairof feed rollers 58 which are driven from shaft 2 by pulley and belt connection 59. The rollers then feed the tube to the sliding knife 54 which is actuated by lever 60 and link 61 connection from cam 7. The follower roller 62, on the outer end of link 61, is retained operative against the cam by the coiled spring 63. A band carrier 64 underlies the knife 54 to receive a severed band therefrom and is shiftable by a collar 65, on the cutter rod, into the path of the band grasping jaws 3T so that the latter will grip a! band on the carrier and lift it vertically over a distended or stretched nipple. The carrier is provided with a band seat (56 and at its rear e d has a resilient or yielding play connection 6? with collar 65 whereby the cutter may have individual, initial movement for severing a band prior to movement of the carrier. On the return movement of the carrier, the tube will be held elevated by the cutter until the carrier has practically reached its rest position when it will. drop down onto the carrier and over the band seat 66 ready to be severed by the next operation of the cutter. The tubes in the hopper are advanced to a position beneath the follower 5G by a foL lower 68 actuated by a weight 69 in an obvious manner.

lVhile it is believed the operation will be clear from the foregoing, it may be briefly set forth as follows:

' The nipple to be perforated and banded is fed between the belt 11 and 12, tl'irough the raceway 21 and beneath the plungers 22 and23 which push the nipple through the raceway into the jaws 34 and 35, the stretching plunger distending the nipple to the dotted line position of Figure 1. During or immediately following this operationpthe band carrier disposes a severed band in the path of the jaws 37 which grip the same and lift it over the distended nipple, followed by upward movement of the stretching plunger 23, which permits the nipple to expand to normal position and thereby retain the band thereon. Punch 43 ascends at this stage to perforate the nipple, and wedge member 48 advances to open the jaws and hold them open until they lower from off the nipple when the wedge member will be withdrawn and the jaws close in spring action upon another band disposed in its path. Jaw 35 now retracts and carries with it the handed and punched nipple until the latter is released by the pin 52.

Thus it will be noted that the machine is automatic throughout, thoroughly reliable, and bands the nipples without the use of any adhesive application, the several operations being effected in an expeditious: manner.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent i 1. A nipple banding and punching ma chine comprising a frame, a pair of nipple holding jaws one of which is movable and embraces the greater part of the circumference of the nipple whereby to carry the letter with it when moved from its c0mpanion jaw, and means for releasing the nipple from said movable jaw by and during movement thereof.

2. A nipple banding and punching machine comprising a frame, a pair of nipple holding jaws one of which is movable and embraces the greater part of the circumfen ence of the nipple whereby to carry the latter with it when moved from its c0mpanion jaw, a releasing pin over which the movable jaw wipes to bring a carried nipple into contact therewith for effecting discharge thereof, and means for applying a band to the nipple.

8. A nipple banding and punching machine comprising a frame, a pair of nipple holding jaws one of which is movable and embraces the greater part of the circumference of the nipple whereby to carry the latter with it when moved from its companion jaws, means for holding the nipple in the jaws, means for stretching the nipple when held in the jaws, means for threading a band over the distended nipple, and means for re leasing the nipple from saidmovable jaw by and during movement thereof.

4;. In a nipple banding and punching machine, means for stretching a nipple to reduce its diameter, and means for threading a band over the distended nipple.

5. In a nipple banding and punching machine, means for reducing the diameter of a nipple, and means for threading a band over the reduced nipple.

6. In a nipple banding and punching machine, means for reducing the diameter of a nipple, means for threading a band over the reduced nipple, and means for permitting the nipple to return to normal position.

7. in a nipple banding and punching machine, a nipple feeding mechanism, a locating plunger beneath which the nipple is advanced, a pair of nipple-holding jaws be tween which the nipple is moved. by the plunger and clamped securely at one end between the plunger and the jaws, and means for reducing the diameter of the nipple to have a band threaded thereover.

8. In a nipple banding and punching machine, a nipple feeding mechanism, a locating plunger beneath which the nipple is advanced, a pair of nipple-holding jaws between which the nipple is moved by the plunger and clamped securely at one end between the plunger and the jaws, means for alternately distending and returning the nipple, and means for passing a band over a distended nipple.

9. In a nipple banding and punching machine, a nipple feeding mechanism, a locating plunger beneath which the nipple is ad vanced, a pair of nipple-holding jaws between which the nipple is moved by the plunger and clamped securely at one end between the plunger and the jaws, and a stretching plunger movable through the 10- eating plunger for stretching the nipple.

10. In a nipple banding and punching machine, a nipple feeding mechanism, a locating plunger beneath which the nipple is advanced, a pair of nipple-holding jaws between which the nipple is moved by the plunger and clamped securely at one end between the plunger and the jaws, a stretching plunger movable through the locating plunger to stretch the nipple, means for threading band over the stretched nipple, and means coacting with the stretching plunger for punching the end of the nipple.

11. In a nipple banding and punching machine, a nipple feeding mechanism, a locat ing plunger beneath which the nipple is advanced, a pair of nipple-holding jaws between which the nipple is moved by the plunger and clamped securely at one end between the plunger and the jaws, a stretching plunger movable through the locating plunger to stretch the nipple, means for threading a band over the stretched nipple, and means coacting with the stretching plunger for punching the end of the nipple when the nipple has been restored to normal condition.

12. In a nipple banding and punching machine, a nipple feeding mechanism, a locating plunger beneath which the nipple is advanced, a pair of nipple-holding jaws between which the nipple is moved by the plunger and clamped securely at one end between the plunger and the jaws, a stretching plunger movable through the locating plunger to stretch the nipple, means for threading the band over the nipple, and means for severing the band from a stock tube and delivering it to said band threading means.

13. In a nipple banding and punching machine, a nipple feeding mechanism, a locating plunger beneath which the nipple is advanced, a pair of nipple-holding jaws between which the nipple is moved by the plunger and clamped securely at one end between the plunger and the jaws, a stretching plunger movable in the nipple for stretching the same lengthwise and returning it to normal, and means for threading a band over the nipple while stretched and releasing the band subsequent to the nipple assuming substantially normal proportions.

14-. In a nipplebanding and punching machine, a nipple'feeding mechanism, a heating plunger beneath which the nipple is advanced, a 'pair of nipple-holding jaws between which the nipple is moved by the plunger and clamped securely at one end between the plunger and the jaws, a stretching plunger movable in the nipple for stretching the same lengthwise and permitting it to return to normal, a vertically movable pair of jaws for grasping a band and carrying it over the free end of the stretched nipple, and means for releasing the latter jaws from the band.

15. In a nipple banding and punchingmachine. a nipple feeding mechanism, a locating plunger beneath which the nipple is ad vanced, a pail-of nipple-holding jaws between which the nipple is moved by the plunger and clamped securely at one end betweenthe plunger and the jaws, a stretching plunger movable in the nipple for stretching the same lengthwise and permitting it to return to normal, a vertically movable pair of jaws for grasping a band and carrying it over the free end of the stretched nipple. said'jaws beingpivoted intermediate theirends, andmeans acting upon the'outer ends of the band jaws for separating their active ends to release the band.

16.11; a nipple banding and punching machine, a nipple feeding mechanism, aflocating plunger beneath which the nipple'is advanced, a pair of nipple-holdingjawsbetween which the nipple is moved by the plunger and clamped securely at one end between the plunger and the jaws, a stretching plunger movable in the nipple for stretching the same leugt-hwise and permitting it to return to normal, a verticallymovable pair of jaws for grasping a band-and carrying it over the free end ofth-e stretched nipple, said jaws being pivoted intermediate their ends, and a wedge member movalile' between the outer ends oi the jaws for effecting release otthc band.

17. in a nipple'ban-d and punching machineu nipple feeding mechanism, a'locating plunger beneath which the nipple is advanced, a. pairol. nipple-holding jaws between which the nipple is moved by the plunger and clamped securely atone end between the plunger and the aws, a stretching plunger movable in the nipple for stretclr,

ing the same lengthwise and permitting it to return to normal, a vertically movable pair of jaws for grasping a band and carrying itover the free end of the stretched nipple, means for opening the band jaws to release a band and hold them open until removed itrom't-he nipple, and-means for moving the band jaws.

18. In a nipple banding and punching machine. a nipple feeding mechanism, aloca ting plunger beneath which the nipple is advanced, a pair otni 'iple-holding aws between which 'th-eynipp'le is moved by the plungerand clamped securely one end between'the plunger and the jaws, astretching plunger movable in the nipple for stretrhing-the samelengthwise and permit ting'it to return to normal, a vertically movable pair-of jaws for grasping a band and carrying it over the free end of the stretched nipplfe, means for opening the band jaws to release a band andhold them open until re-v nipple, means for opening the band jaws to release a band and hold them open until removed from the nipple, and a. band carrier for disposing a-band in the path of the band jaws.

20. In a nipple banding and punching machine, anipple feeding mechanism, alocating plunger beneath which the nipple is advanced, a pair of nipple-holding jaws between which the nipple is moved by he plunger and clamped securely at one end between the plunger and the jaws, a. stretching plunger movablein the nipple for stretching the same lengthwise and permittingitto return to normal, avertically movable pair of jaws for grasping a band and carrying it over the free end of the-stretched nipple, means for opening the band javsto release a band and hold them until remover from the nipple, means for supplying the band jaws with a band, and means coacting with the stretching plunger ior puncl'iingthe closed end of the nipple.

21. In a nipple banding and punching machine, a nipple feeding mechanism, a locating plunger beneath which the nipple is advanced, apair of nipple-holding jaws between which the nipple is moved by the plunger and clamped securely at one end hetween the plunger-and the jaws, a stretching plunger .movable in the nipple for stretching'the same lengthwiseand permitting it to return to normal, a vertically movable pair OfzjttWS for grasping a band and carrying it over the free end of the stretched nipple, meansfor opening the band jaws to release aband and hold them open until'removed'from the nipple, and means for perforating the nipple.

22. In a nipple banding and punching machine, a nipple feeding mechanism, a locating plunger beneath which the nipple is advanced, a pair of nipple-holding jaws between which the nipple is moved by the plunger and clamped securely at one end between the plunger and the jaws, a stretching plunger movable in the nipple for stretching the same lengthwise and permittingit to return to normal, a vertically movable pair of jaws for grasping a band and carrying it over the free end of the stretched nipple, means for opening the band jaws to release a band and hold them open until removed from the nipple, apunch movable axially of the stretching plunger for cooperation therewith in perforating the nipple, and means for actuating the punch.

23. In a nipple banding and punching machine, a nipple feeding mechanism, a loeating plunger beneath which the nipple is advanced, a pair of nipple-holding jaws between which the nipple is moved by the plunger and clamped securely at one end between the plunger and the jaws, a stretching plunger movable in the nipple for stretching the same lengthwise and permitting it to return to normal, a vertically movable pair of jaws for grasping a band and carrying it over the free end of the stretched nipple, means for opening the band jaws to release a band and hold them open until removed from the nipple, a punch cooperating with the stretching plunger for perforating the nipple and means for actuating the punch while the nipple is normal.

24. In a nipple banding and punching machine, a nipple feeding mechanism, a loeating plunger beneath which the nipple is advanced, a pair of nipple-holding jaws between which the nipple is moved by the plunger and clamped securely at one end between the plunger and the jaws, a stretching plunger movable in the nipple for stretching the same lengthwise and permitting it to return to normal, a vertically movable pair of jaws for grasping a band and carrying it over the free end of the stretched nipple, means for opening the band jaws to release a band and hold them open until removed from the nipple, a punch coacting with the stretching plunger for perforating the nipple, and a band carrier movable across the path of the punch and band aws for delivering a band to the latter prior to the punching operation.

25. In a nipple banding and punching machine, a nipple feeding mechanism, a locating plunger beneath which the nipple is advanced, a pair of nipple-holding jaws be tween which the nipple is moved by the plunger and clamped securely at one end between the plunger and the 'aws, a stretching plunger movable in t e nipple for stretching the same lengthwise and permitting it to return to normal, a vertically movable pair of jaws for grasping a band and carrying it over the free end of the stretched nipple, means for opening the band jaws to release a band and hold them open until removed from the nipple, a punch coacting with the stretching plunger for perforating the nipple, a band carrier for supplying bands to the band jaws and means for depositing a band on the carrier for being transmitted to the jaws.

26. In a nipple banding and punching machine, a nipple feeding mechanism, a loeating plunger beneath which the nipple is advanced, a pair of nipple-holding awsbetween which the nipple is moved by the plunger and clamped securely at one end between the plunger and the jaws, a stretching plunger movable in the nipple for stretching the same lengthwise and permitting it to return to normal, a vertically movable pair of jaws for grasping a band and carrying it over the free end of the stretched nipple, means for opening the band jaws to release a band and hold them open until removed from the nipple, a punch coacting with the stretching plunger for perforating the nipple, a band carrier for supplying bands to the band jaws, means for feeding tubular band stock, and means for severing the stock into individual bands for deposit on the carrier.

27. In a nipple banding and punching machine, a nipple feeding mechanism, a locating plunger beneath which the nipple is advanced, a pair of nipple-holding aws between which the nipple is moved by the plunger and clamped securely at one end between the plunger and the jaws, a stretching plunger movable in the nipple for stretching the same lengthwise and permitting it to return to normal, a vertically movable pair of jaws for grasping a band and carrying it over the free end of the stretched nipple, means for opening the band jaws to release a band and hold them open until removed from the nipple, a punch coacting with the stretching plunger for perforating the nipple, a band carrier for supplying bands to the band jaws, means operable with the stretching plunger for feeding tubular band stock, and means for severing the stock into individual bands for deposit on the carrier.

28. In a nipple operating machine, a nipple feeding means consisting of a pair of base-engaging conveyor belts, and a pair of shoulder-engaging belts operable to engage and support an inverted nipple between the first belts.

29. In a nipple banding machine, means for distending a nipple, means movable lengthwise of the nipple for threading a band thereover, and means for severing a band from a source of supply and deliver ing it to the second means.

.30. In a nipple banding and punching machine, means for holding a nipple at one cnchmeans for stretching the nipple lengthwise, means for threading a band over the distended nipple, and means cooperating with the second means for punching the lreeend oi the nipple.

:51. in a nipple handing and. punching machine, means for holding a nipple at oneend, means for feeding nipples to the firstmeans .and consisting of a pair-0f coacting endless feed belts, and means for successively distending the nipple and threading a. band overthe distended nipple.

32. In combination, means for holding a nipple at one end, means for feeding a nipple to said first means, and a nipple stretching means for entering a nipple held by said first. means to distend'the nipple.

In combination, a nipple holding PAUL A. RAICHE. lVitnesses E. P. TOOMEY,

J A. MILLER. 

